Lab

Unnatural Disasters

Global Warming and Our National Parks

OBJECTIVES

• • Explore specific climate-based issues that face our National Parks
  • Work in small groups to research the National Parks in a region of the United States to create a single-voice group presentation concerning climate and the Parks.

MATERIALS

• “Unnatural Disasters: Global Warming and our National Parks”. It can also be located at
• https://www.npca.org › resources › 2382-unnatural-disa...
• We will also utilize the National Parks website which has a useful link to climate friendly parks: here is the link.

https://www.nps.gov › climatefriendlyparks

INTRODUCTION

Climate change is an intricate and complex topic involving a myriad of components such as Atmospheric compositions (percentages of different gases), land surface use (glaciers, farmland, and forested areas), volcanic activity, and the enormity of geologic time. During this lab we will explore specific climate-based issues impacting our many National Parks. While climate change is a global issue our focus will utilize an open and free document published by the National Parks Conservation Association that divides the National Parks in the United States into five regions: Appalachian Region, South Florida, Alaska, Pacific Coast Mountains and Historic Coastal Region.

ASSIGNMENT

This lab will focus on five regions of the United States and how the National Parks within those regions are being impacted by anthropogenic climate change. This is a small group research and presentation project with an individual summary written assignment.

READ: up to page nine in the “Unnatural disasters” document for background information.

CHOOSE: one of the five case study areas: The Appalachian Region, South Florida, Alaska, Pacific Coast Mountains, or Historic Coastal regions. Read that section carefully with the intent that you as a small group will explore the impact of climate change on the specific region and parks mentioned in that region.

CREATE: as a small group a 10–12-minute presentation about the parks included in your chosen section and their climate-based issues. Focus on solutions. Make sure to show the location and images of your parks and region. The National Parks website for each park usually has a specific section on climate issues facing their park. Pages 36-39 in the (posted “Unnatural Disasters” document has details on Climate friendly parks.

BRIEF SUMMARY: Each individual team member will submit a brief write-up (2-3 pages) of their chosen section and the impact of climate.

LASTLEY: As a final paragraph to your write-up, as an American citizen what can you do to better educate yourself about climate change. What changes can you make to your current life.

Image of the Main document used in this Lab.